Bao Xu

Bao Xu is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "God of Death", he ranks 60th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 24th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Background

The novel describes Bao Xu as an ugly-looking man with a face shaped and coloured like the bottom of a wok, fierce bulging eyes, lips like a wolf's, and a thunderous voice that strikes fear in people's hearts. Highly skilled in martial arts, he wields a broad-bladed sword in combat. As his passion in life is to kill and plunder, he earns himself the nickname "God of Death". He leads a bandit gang based on Mount Deadwood (枯樹山) in Kouzhou (寇州; believed to be present-day Guan County, Shandong).

Joining Liangshan

During the battle between the outlaws of Liangshan Marsh and government forces at Lingzhou (凌州; present-day Ling County, Shandong), the generals Shan Tinggui and Wei Dingguo defeat and capture two outlaw leaders, Xuan Zan and Hao Siwen, and have them escorted as captives to the imperial capital, Dongjing (東京; present-day Kaifeng, Henan).

In the meantime, Liangshan's Li Kui encounters and befriends Jiao Ting, who is on the way to join Bao Xu's bandit gang. They make their way to Mount Deadwood and meet Bao Xu; Li Kui convinces both Jiao Ting and Bao Xu to join the outlaw band at Liangshan. Just then, they receive news that a convoy of troops escorting two prisoners are passing by Mount Deadwood. Li Kui, Jiao Ting and Bao Xu then attack the convoy, rescue Xuan Zan and Hao Siwen, and return to Liangshan together.

Campaigns and death

Bao Xu becomes one of the leaders of the Liangshan infantry after the 108 Stars of Destiny come together in what is called the Grand Assembly. He follows the Liangshan heroes on their campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces on Song territory after they received amnesty from Emperor Huizong.

During the campaign against Fang La's rebel forces, Bao Xu and Li Kui are assigned to lead the attack on the northern gate of Hangzhou. After defeating and slaying the enemy officer Lian Ming, Bao Xu charges into the city and falls into an ambush. The enemy general Shi Bao catches Bao Xu off guard and slices him into two.

References

• Buck, Pearl S. (2006). All Men are Brothers. Moyer Bell. ISBN 9781559213035.
• Ichisada, Miyazaki (1993). Suikoden: Kyoko no naka no Shijitsu (in Japanese). Chuo Koronsha. ISBN 978-4122020559.
• Keffer, David. "Outlaws of the Marsh: A Somewhat Less Than Critical Commentary". Poison Pie Publishing House. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
• Li, Mengxia (1992). 108 Heroes from the Water Margin (in Chinese). EPB Publishers. p. 121. ISBN 9971-0-0252-3.
• Miyamoto, Yoko (2011). "Water Margin: Chinese Robin Hood and His Bandits". Demystifying Confucianism. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
• Shibusawa, Kou (1989), Bandit Kings of Ancient China, Koei
• Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.